RCBS dies

toad67

Im new to reloading, using all rcbs equip. Can I use different brand dies other than rcbs and if so wich ones should I shy away from/

Thanks to all

toad67

Are the competition dies worth the extra $$ over the standard dies? I am looking atthe 22-250 ones. Thanks.

Todd

dcs shooters

If you are working over your brass to match grade specs, YES.
Very worth the extra $$$ for the best accuracy.

bpost

Yes, if you are looking at the Redding competition seating die. I saw a measurable difference in groups.

Rocky Raab

Only if your other gear is "competition grade." That means fully detailed brass, match bullets, a custom rifle, premium rests - and a shooter who can take advantage of every bit of the above. If you gnash your teeth and kick your dog because of a .101" group, yes.

Otherwise, no.

bpost

quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
Only if your other gear is "competition grade." That means fully detailed brass, match bullets, a custom rifle, premium rests - and a shooter who can take advantage of every bit of the above. If you gnash your teeth and kick your dog because of a .101" group, yes.

Otherwise, no.

Rocky, I have a 6BR- 8 twist .264 neck, it was built by Mrbruce on a XP-100 action and worked Rem trigger. It was holding around .500 groups pretty consistently with 105 A-Max's. After getting the Redding competition seating die the groups shrunk by .200.

It is a very ugly duckling rifle built of mismatched parts, butt ugly home made stock and a nice little Burris Euro-Diamond 4X14 scope in Burris Signature rings. It is not a match rifle by any means, the barrel was used, cut off and re-chambered by mrbruce too boot!

After double checking why the improvement I found the run-out from the seating die way less when using the comp die. The old seating die was giving run-out as high as .007, it was opening up groups, the new die was keeping run-out under .0015 making quite a bit of difference in groups.

I sure would not get competition seating dies for run of the mill deer rifles but if I was trying to tighten groups after the basics of optics, bedding and load development were done, the few extra bucks for the comp seater may be worth it for a varmint rifle.

Of course I sold my 22-250 Encore barrels in favor of the 22 BR, a round that is simply more efficient, that is a issue for another time. [:D]

Rocky Raab

I think you pretty much confirmed what I said. A highly 'smithed gun, a competitive cartridge and a skilled shooter found benefits in a premium die set. Good on ya, brother!

1988z01

Never used those, but have always wondered. How do the RCBS comp dies compare?

n/a

Yes...